That the text of the Conservation Area Management Plan for Detling Conservation Area, as amended following consultation, and attached at Appendix A to the report of the Assistant Director of Development and Community Strategy, be approved for adoption and publication subject to any necessary minor editorial amendments to be made by the Assistant Director of Development and Community Strategy.

The original draft of the management plan for Detling Conservation Area was approved for consultation purposes by the Cabinet Member on 17^th December 2009 and was the subject of consultation in accordance with the aims of the Council’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement.  This included the following bodies and individuals:-

§  English Heritage

§  Kent County Council

§  Detling Parish Council

§  Ward Member/s

§  The Campaign to Protect Rural England 

§  Other relevant organizations with an interest in the particular areas, e.g. Kent Downs AONB Unit.

In addition, a copy was placed on the Borough Council’s website and a press release placed in the Kent Messenger. Copies were also deposited at Maidstone and Springfield Libraries and at The Gateway, the latter accompanied by an exhibition. Internal consultations were carried out with the development control section. In addition, a drop-in session was held in The Gateway on 25^th January.

A public meeting was held in Detling Village Hall on 29^th January at which the proposals were discussed.

One written response has been received in response to the consultation exercise. The Parish Council has asked that the proposal to deal with intrusive wirescape should have its priority upgraded from medium to high; the text of the Management Plan has been amended accordingly to take account of this reques

Summary of Key Proposals.  Major proposals incorporated in the Management Plan include:

·  The extension of the Conservation Area to include East Court, its grounds and former outbuildings.

·  The introduction of an Article 4 Direction.

·  Enhancement proposals to include dealing with intrusive Wirescape and the re-modelling of the junction of The Street and Hockers Lane.

All of these elements will require separate procedural steps and will be subject to further consultation, with the aim of completing this programme over the next 24 months.

The alternative would be not to approve the Management Plan for adoption and publication.  However, following this course of action would mean that the Council was not complying with national guidance and best practice.